Let's Get This Shaw on the Road

One for the Pot: Peter Fernandes and Martin Happer in Conversation

Shaw Festival Season 2026 Episode 5

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0:00 | 1:05:06

What happens when you trap two powerhouse comedic actors in a high-stakes British farce filled with split-second timing, physical torture, and a mountain of Tiger Balm? Actors Peter Fernandes and Martin Happer drop by to talk about reuniting for One for the Pot and unleashing a masterclass in chaotic energy on the Shaw Festival stage.

They pull back the curtain on the grueling athletic precision required to survive a nightly slapstick routine, unlocking the show's mathematical rhythm, and the hilarious reality of having your old theater school demons come back to haunt you. From mastering complex regional dialects with expert coaching to juggling the dizzying gear shift between broad physical comedy and cerebral Shaw, they reveal exactly what it takes to keep a wild theatrical romp entirely on the tracks.

Peter Fernandes celebrates his 5th season at the Shaw Festival, stepping into the director's chair for Sleuth while also appearing on stage in One for the Pot. Shaw audiences will recognize him from past favourites like One Man, Two Guvnors, Charley’s Aunt, and The Importance of Being Earnest. A three-time Dora Award winner and recipient of the Philip Akin Black Shoulders Legacy Award, Peter has performed extensively with Canadian Stage (Fat Ham), Crow’s Theatre (Fifteen Dogs), and Soulpepper. He is also an artistic associate at Crow’s Theatre and an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

Martin Happer is celebrating a remarkable 21st season at the Shaw Festival, appearing this year in One for the Pot and Heartbreak House. Over his two decades with the ensemble, Martin has become a mainstay of the Shaw stage, with credits including Wait Until Dark, Witness for the Prosecution, Dracula, and Saint Joan. Beyond Niagara, he has performed with the Arts Club, Studio 180, and Theatre Aquarius. Television audiences will also recognize him from his numerous screen appearances, including roles in The Hot Zone: Anthrax, The Expanse, Frankie Drake Mysteries, and Murdoch Mysteries.

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Hosted by Alexis Milligan
Produced by Kelly Wong
Original Music by Travis Seetoo

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